"The Player" is a song by Norman Harris and Allan Felder. The Player is the second studio album recorded by the American female vocal trio First Choice, released in 1974 on the Philly Groove label. The album features the title track, which peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Hot Soul Singles. Another single, "Guilty", had moderate success on the charts.
First Choice was an American girl group vocal music trio from Philadelphia. The group produced the disco hits "Armed and Extremely Dangerous", "Smarty Pants", "The Player", "Love Thang", "Let No Man Put Asunder" and "Dr. Love" which peaked at #41 on the U.S. charts. They were signed to soul label Philly Groove Records and to disco label Salsoul Records.
The First Choice began singing in high school as the Debonettes. The group consisted of lead singer Rochelle Fleming, Annette Guest and Wardell Piper. They performed in clubs after school in and around Philadelphia, PA. They were introduced to record man Norman Harris by radio DJ Georgie Woods. Harris produced their first single “This Is The House Where Love Died”. The single failed to chart nationally but was played in Philadelphia and dance club across the U.S. Their next release was “Armed and Extremely Dangerous” . The single quickly became an R&B top 11 hit in early 1973 and making the UK Top 20. Wardell Piper quit the group to go solo before their first album was released and is not pictured although she is singing on the album . She was replaced by singer Joyce Jones. Their new hit enabled the group to get national exposure on TV shows like Dinah , Soul Train and American Bandstand. Other R&B hits followed like “Smarty Pants”went to #25 R&B and became the group's biggest UK single reaching #9 , “Newsy Neighbors” and “The Player” which became their biggest R&B hit going to number #7 .
The band switched labels in 1976 for Warner Brothers records . Jones left the group and was replaced by Ursula Herring. At Warner’s they recorded Dance Floor hits like “Gotta Get Away From You Baby” “Ain’t He Bad” and the album title song, “So Let Us Entertain You”.
In 1977 the trio switched labels again this time recording for their producer Norman Harris' label, Goldmine Records where they got their biggest dance single , the infectious “Doctor Love”. The single became a dance club favorite internationally. The single is from the album “Delusions” that critics regard as the trio's best LP . The next release came in March of 1979 called “Hold Your Horses”.
Ursula Herring left and was replaced by Debbie Martin. The album became an instant sensation in discotheques all over the world. The LP contained the dance hits “Love Thang”, “Double Cross” and the title track “Hold Your Horses”.
The trio officially disbanded in 1980 however in 1984 Sal-Soul records released “Let No Man Put Asunder” from their 1977 LP “Delusions”. That single rose to #13 on the Billboard dance chart and has become the groups signature song and still a current favorite on the house music scene.
Rochelle Fleming continued to record and perform internationally as a solo artist . Annette Guest became a successful songwriter writing for artist such as Stephanie Mills.
Official members Annette Guest and Ursula Herring are currently performing again as The First Choice.
The group was influential to early house and techno music, because of sampling by many artists, including Todd Terry and the Jungle Brothers, mostly from First Choice's 1977 track, "Let No Man Put Asunder". That track was also covered by Mary J. Blige on her 1999 album, Mary.
On August 6, 2014, First Choice performed a reunion concert at East River Bandshell, New York City, with original members Rochelle Fleming, Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Ursula Herring. The concert featured many of the group's ex-label mates from Salsoul Records. The group is still performing, but without Rochelle Fleming. In 2019, rapper J. Cole sampled their song "Wake Up to Me" in his song "Middle Child".
"The Player" Remix is by John Morales. The original process of ‘re-mixing records’ was intended to provide an alternative listening experience which had been optimized for people who went out to dance at Discos. John Morales was one of the early pioneers who loved music, understood his craft and HAD RESPECT FOR THE CREATIVE WORK from which his mixes were derived” Patrick Adams - Super Producer. Writer of over 30 Gold and Platinum records and back to back winner of ASCAP Songwriter of the year award 1996/1997.
Few can match John Morales contribution to the world of the enthusiast turned remixer come producer. John Morales is considered one of true legends of the mix. And his work some thirty years later continues to be cutting wedge and inspiring. This is the legacy of the M+M mixes.